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United States Patent | 6,093,905 |
Hardwick ,   et al. | July 25, 2000 |
A process for operating a plasma torch on shut down to substantially increase electrode element life involves shutting down the plasma torch according to a first shut down mode for a first predetermined number of pierces attributed to the electrode element. The first shut down mode is controlled such that plasma gas flow through the swirl ring and nozzle decrease to zero substantially immediately upon termination of arc current to the electrode. The shut down method is switched to a second shut down mode for an additional second predetermined number of pierces. In the second shut down mode, the plasma gas flow through the swirl ring and nozzle are maintained after termination of the arc current to the electrode. The shut down mode may be switched back again to the first mode after the second predetermined number of pierces.
Inventors: | Hardwick; Steven F. (John's Island, SC); Hardwick; J. Travis (Charleston, SC) |
Assignee: | Innerlogic, Inc. (Charleston, SC) |
Appl. No.: | 416304 |
Filed: | October 12, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: | 219/121.59; 219/121.38; 219/121.44; 219/121.55 |
Intern'l Class: | B23K 010/00 |
Field of Search: | 219/121.51,121.53,121.54,121.37,121.38,121.59,121.57,74,75,121.44 |
5414237 | May., 1995 | Carkhuff | 219/121. |
5614110 | Mar., 1997 | Shintani et al. | 219/121. |
5828030 | Oct., 1998 | Naor | 219/121. |